1.

Ecological Adaptation

Ecological adaptation is an evolutionary process where, over generations, a species changes to

survive in its environment. One example of ecological adaptation has been seen in a population of
yellow monkey flowers, Mimulus guttatus, in California. This specific population of the yellow
monkey flower recently evolved tolerance to soil contaminants from nearby copper mines.

While this ecological adaptation is beneficial for this specific M. guttatus population, an incidental
effect has also been observed. When this population of M. guttatus crosses with some off-mine
populations of M. guttatus, hybrid lethality occurs, causing potential offspring to be aborted in the
embryonic stage.

A. It adapted to its environment.

B. It cannot grow near copper mines.
C. it is intolerant to soil contaminants.
D. It is not an adaptable species.

1. A

2. Choose the phrase that best completes the following sentence:

Asteroids can be found orbiting the Sun between _____.

Asteroids

Asteroids, sometimes called minor planets, are rocky remnants left over from the early formation of
our solar system about 4.6 billion years ago.

Most of this ancient space rubble can be found orbiting the sun between Mars and Jupiter within
the main asteroid belt. Asteroids range in size from Vesta - the largest at about 329 miles (530
kilometers) in diameter - to bodies that are less than 33 feet (10 meters) across. The total mass of
all the asteroids combined is less than that of Earth's Moon.

Most asteroids are irregularly shaped, though a few are nearly spherical, and they are often pitted
or cratered. As they revolve around the sun in elliptical orbits, the asteroids also rotate, sometimes
quite erratically, tumbling as they go. More than 150 asteroids are known to have a small
companion moon (some have two moons). There are also binary (double) asteroids, in which two
rocky bodies of roughly equal size orbit each other, as well as triple asteroid systems.

The three broad composition classes of asteroids are C-, S-, and M-types. The C-type (chondrite)
asteroids are most common, probably consist of clay and silicate rocks, and are dark in appearance.
They are among the most ancient objects in the solar system. The S-types ("stony") are made up of
silicate materials and nickel-iron. The M-types are metallic (nickel-iron). The asteroids'
compositional differences are related to how far from the sun they formed. Some experienced high
temperatures after they formed and partly melted, with iron sinking to the center and forcing
basaltic (volcanic) lava to the surface. Only one such asteroid, Vesta, survives to this day.

A. Earth and Mars

B. Saturn and Jupiter

C. Mars and Jupiter within the main asteroid belt

D. Venus and Earth within the main asteroid belt

2. C

3. Which of the following enzymes does the mutation point coloration affect?

Point Coloration in Cats

Point coloration in cats originated in the Siamese and closely related Asian breeds, and is found in
many Western-developed modern breeds. It is a form of partial albinism resulting from a mutation
that affects tyrosinase, an enzyme involved with melanin production.

The mutated enzyme is thermolabile; it fails to work at normal body temperatures, but becomes
active in cooler areas of the skin. As a result, dark pigment is limited to the coldest areas of the
body, that is, the extremities. Pointed kittens are born white, since the womb is uniformly warm. As
the kitten ages, the cooler areas darken while warmer areas remain cream to white in color. Points
are not limited to solid colors or dark colors. It is possible to have a red (orange color) or fawn (pale
warm gray) point. It is also possible to have a tortoiseshell or tabby point. This coloration is also
sometimes called colorpoints.

As the expression of the gene responsible for the pointed pattern is regulated by temperature,
pointed cats who live in cooler environments often show darkening of their fur, with large patches
along their sides sometimes developing.

Because of this restriction of pigment, pointed cat's eyes are always some shade of blue, because
the top layer of the iris is not covered in another color, letting the blue show through. The back of
the eye also lacks pigment, giving these cats' pupils an eerie red reflection in the dark, unlike a
normally pigmented cat's green to blue shine.

A. aldolase

B. carbonic anhydrase

C. dehydratase

D. tyrosinase

3. D
4. Which of the following best describes how phylogenetic trees and cladograms differ?

Phylogenetic Trees and Cladograms

A phylogenetic tree or evolutionary tree is a branching diagram or "tree" showing the inferred

evolutionary relationships among various biological species. These relationships are based upon
similarities and differences in their physical or genetic characteristics. The species joined together in
the tree are implied to have descended from a common ancestor, the original species from which
the newer species adapted or evolved. Originally, scientists only grouped species by physical
appearance. With advances in modern science techniques, genetic similarities and differences are
now included in phylogenetic trees.
Phylogenic trees are difficult to create, as they often list physical and genetic characteristics that
have changed over time. Additionally, the branches on phylogenetic trees have to be drawn to
scale, since the length of the branches represents time. A longer branch represents that the
evolutionary change took place over a longer period of time than a shorter branch.

Because phylogenetic trees are so difficult to create, scientists often use cladograms (Figure A) to

show relationships instead. It is similar to an evolutionary tree, but it does not mention specific
traits nor do the lengths of the branches matter. A cladogram uses lines that branch off in different
directions ending at a clade, a group of organisms with a last common ancestor.

There are many shapes of cladograms but they all have lines that branch off from other lines. The
lines can be traced back to where they branch off. These branching off points represent a
hypothetical ancestor which can be inferred to exhibit the traits shared among the terminal species
that come after. This hypothetical ancestor might provide clues about the order of evolution of
various features and adaptations. Any adaptation or characteristic of a species that is not exhibited
in the common ancestor is call a derived character.

A. The branch length of a phylogenetic tree shows relative time, whereas the branch length of
a cladogram does not have significance.
B. The branch length of a cladogram shows relative time, whereas the branch length of a
phylogenetic tree does not have significance.
 C. Phylogenetic trees show that specific organisms have a common ancestor, whereas
cladograms do not.
D. Cladograms show that specific organisms have a common ancestor, whereas phylogenetic
trees do not.

4. A

5. What are greenhouse gases (GHGs)?

What Is a Greenhouse Gas?

Throughout this chapter, we’ll be talking about the role of greenhouse gases (GHGs) in controlling
the climate, so it’s important to understand what greenhouse gases are and how they work. As you
know, the dominant gases of the atmosphere are nitrogen (as N2N2) and oxygen (as O2O2). These
gas molecules have only two atoms each and are not GHGs. Some of the other important gases of
the atmosphere are water vapor (H2O)(H2O), carbon dioxide (CO2)(CO2), and methane (CH4)(CH4).
All of these have more than two atoms, and they are GHGs.

All molecules vibrate at various frequencies and in various ways, and some of those vibrations take
place at frequencies within the range of the infrared (IR) radiation that is emitted by Earth’s
surface. Gases with two atoms, such as O2O2, can only vibrate by stretching (back and forth), and
those vibrations are much faster than the IR radiation. Gases with three or more atoms (such
as CO2CO2) vibrate by stretching as well, but they can also vibrate in other ways, such as by
bending. Those vibrations are slower and match IR radiation frequencies.

When IR radiation interacts with CO2CO2 or with one of the other GHGs, the molecular vibrations
are enhanced because there is a match between the wavelength of the light and the vibrational
frequency of the molecule. This makes the molecule vibrate more vigorously, heating the
surrounding air in the process. These molecules also emit IR radiation in all directions, some of
which reaches Earth’s surface and causes the greenhouse effect.

A. the dominant gases of the atmosphere

B. infrared (IR) radiation waves

 C. molecules in the ocean that contribute to ocean acidification and coral bleaching

D. molecules in the atmosphere that produce heat through vibrations that are enhanced by
infrared radiation
5. D

6. Consider the following solution:

Savannah is making iced tea. She adds a little bit of sugar to her iced tea and it easily dissolves. She
knows she can add more sugar to the solution, but she only likes her tea to be slightly sweetened.

Which of the following is the best way to describe Savannah’s tea?

Solubility Terms

The solubility of a solution is determined by measuring the maximum amount of one substance

(called the solute) that can dissolve in a given amount of a second substance (called the solvent).

The table shows the classification levels that can be used to describe a solution:

Classification Description

unsaturated A solvent that could still dissolve more solute at the existing temperature.

A solvent contains as much solute as it can possibly dissolve at the

saturated
existing temperature.

A solvent contains more solute dissolved in it than is normally possible at

supersaturated
the existing temperature.

A. unsaturated

B. saturated

C. supersaturated

D. hypersaturated
6. A

7. Looking at “unknown trait A” in the cladogram, Vera hypothesizes that the unknown trait is
the presence of a backbone. Marcia, however, hypothesizes that the unknown trait is warm-
blooded.

Who is correct? Why?

Cladogram 1
 A. Both Vera and Marcia could be correct. Based on the cladogram, it is equally possible that
“unknown trait A” is presence of a backbone or warm-blooded.

B. Marcia is correct, because all the animals following the appearance of “unknown trait A” are
warm-blooded.

C. Vera is correct, because all the animals following the appearance of “unknown trait A” have
a backbone.

D. Neither Vera nor Marcia are correct. The unknown trait is meat-eating.
7.C

8. Choose the term that best completes the following sentence:

_____ transport oxygenated blood from the lungs to the heart.

Blood Vessels

Blood vessels are the channels or conduits through which blood is distributed to body tissues. The
vessels make up two closed systems of tubes that begin and end at the heart. One system, the
pulmonary vessels, transports blood from the right ventricle to the lungs and back to the left
atrium. The other system, the systemic vessels, carries blood from the left ventricle to the tissues in
all parts of the body and then returns the blood to the right atrium. Based on their structure and
function, blood vessels are classified as either arteries, capillaries, or veins.

Arteries carry blood away from the heart. Pulmonary arteries transport blood that has a low oxygen
content from the right ventricle to the lungs. Systemic arteries transport oxygenated blood from
the left ventricle to the body tissues. Blood is pumped from the ventricles into large elastic arteries
that branch repeatedly into smaller and smaller arteries until the branching results in microscopic
arteries called arterioles. The arterioles play a key role in regulating blood flow into the tissue
capillaries.

Capillaries, the smallest and most numerous of the blood vessels, form the connection between the
vessels that carry blood away from the heart (arteries) and the vessels that return blood to the
heart (veins). The primary function of capillaries is the exchange of materials between the blood
and tissue cells.

Veins carry blood toward the heart. After blood passes through the capillaries, it enters the smallest
veins, called venules. From the venules, it flows into progressively larger and larger veins until it
reaches the heart. In the pulmonary circuit, the pulmonary veins transport blood from the lungs to
the left atrium of the heart. This blood has a high oxygen content because it has just been
oxygenated in the lungs. Systemic veins transport blood from the body tissue to the right atrium of
the heart. This blood has a reduced oxygen content because the oxygen has been used for
metabolic activities in the tissue cells.

A. Pulmonary arteries
B. Pulmonary veins
C. Systemic arteries
D. Systemic veins

8.B

9. Based on the passage, which of the following statements is/are NOT true of food chains?

Food Chains and Food Webs

Food chains show the relationships between producers, consumers, and decomposers, showing
who eats whom with arrows. The arrows show the movement of energy through the food chain.
For example, in the food chain shown here, the small fish (silverside) gets its energy by eating the
plankton and the large fish (bluefish) gets its energy by eating the small fish. Finally, bacteria eat
the fish after it dies, getting energy from the large fish. The bacteria also return nutrients back to
the environment for use by the phytoplankton.

Thus, the food chain becomes a complete circle. Animals may eat more than one type of food. They
may eat many different types of plants or many different animals. This makes everything more
complicated and the food chain becomes a food web.

A food web is made up of interconnected food chains. Most communities include various
populations of producer organisms which are eaten by any number of consumer populations. The
green crab, for example, is a consumer as well as a decomposer. The crab will eat dead things or
living things if it can catch them. A secondary consumer may also eat any number of primary
consumers or producers.

In a food web, nutrients are recycled in the end by decomposers. Animals like shrimp and crabs can
break the materials down to detritus. Then bacteria reduce the detritus to nutrients. Decomposers
work at every level, setting free nutrients that form an essential part of the total food web.

In a food chain, energy is lost in each step of the chain in two forms: first by the organism producing
heat and doing work, and second, by the food that is not completely digested or absorbed.
Therefore, the food web depends on a constant supply of energy from producers and nutrients that
are recycled by the decomposition of organisms.

As food is passed along the food chain, only about 10% of the energy is transferred to the next
level. For example, 10% of the energy phytoplankton received from the sun can be used by
zooplankton at the next level. From one level to the next about 90% of the energy used by the
previous level is lost. This means that there has to be a lot more organisms at the lower levels than
at the upper levels. The number of organisms at each level can be represented with a pyramid
shape and is called a food pyramid.

Marine Food Chain

 A. Food chains must always begin with a producer.
B. Food chains depict the relationships between organisms that feed on one another.
C. In food chains, all organisms feed on all other organisms in the chain.
D. All of the above

9.C

10. Which of the following examples best represents speciation?

Speciation

Speciation is the evolutionary process by which biological populations evolve to become distinct
species. The biologist Orator F. Cook coined the term speciation in 1906, but Charles Darwin was
the first to describe the role of speciation in his 1859 book The Origin of Species.

There are four geographic modes of speciation in nature, based on the extent to which
speciating populations are isolated from one another: allopatric, peripatric, parapatric,
and sympatric. Allopatric and peripatric are the two most observed modes of speciation.

During allopatric speciation, a population splits into two geographically isolated populations. The
isolated populations then undergo genotypic or phenotypic divergence as they become subjected
to dissimilar selective pressures and as different mutations arise. When the populations come back
into contact, they have evolved such that they are reproductively isolated and are no longer
capable of exchanging genes.

The Galápagos Islands are particularly famous for their confirmation of allopatric speciation. During
Charles Darwin’s five weeks on the Galápagos Islands, he noticed that finches differed from one
island to another. When he returned to England, his speculation on evolution deepened after
experts informed him that these were separate species, not just varieties. Darwin's finches are now
one of the most well-known examples of adaptive evolution and allopatric speciation discussed in
biology today.

In peripatric speciation, a sub-form of allopatric speciation, new species are formed in isolated,
smaller peripheral populations that are prevented from exchanging genes with the main
population. Since this is a sub-form of allopatric speciation, it is often difficult to determine if
peripatric speciation occurs. The biggest indicator of peripatric speciation is that the isolated
species will be a much smaller group than the non-isolated population.

A. Dogs across the world have similar characteristics.

B. Galapagos finches on different islands developed different types of beaks.
C. Pigeons around the United States were captured and found to have similar beaks.
 D. Wooly mammoth remains were found on four different continents.
10. B

11. Brenden and Hannah have just finished learning about photosynthesis. Brenden concludes that
sunlight is necessary for photosynthesis to occur. Hannah concludes that oxygen is necessary for
photosynthesis to occur.

Who is correct? Why?

Photosynthesis

Nearly all life on earth depends upon photosynthesis, a process used by plants, algae, and
cyanobacteria to convert light energy into chemical energy. Pigment molecules within the organism
capture energy from sunlight and, through a series of chemical reaction steps, use that energy to
build glucose (C6H12O2C6H12O2) molecules from carbon dioxide (CO2CO2) molecules. In this way,
the organism is able to make and store its own food. Therefore, photosynthetic organisms are
referred to as producers. In addition to providing a source of food for producers, photosynthesis
also provides a source of food for most other organisms on earth: the consumers that eat
producers or other consumers.

In plants and algae, photosynthesis takes place in organelles called chloroplasts. A typical plant cell
contains about 10 to 100 chloroplasts. Although all cells in the green parts of a plant have
chloroplasts, most are found in the plant’s leaves. Pigment molecules embedded within the
chloroplast’s complex membrane system capture sunlight energy. Chlorophyll is the most abundant
photosynthetic pigment in plants. Chlorophyll does not absorb the green portion of the visible light
spectrum, but instead reflects it. This is the reason that most plants appear green. Besides
chlorophyll, plants and algae also use other pigments such as carotenes and xanthophylls.

In addition to sunlight, water (H2OH2O), and carbon dioxide (CO2CO2) are also required for
photosynthesis. Plants generally take up water through their roots, which then travels up through
stems and into the leaves. Carbon dioxide from the air enters the plant through tiny pores in the
plant’s leaves or stems called stomata.

As the reaction steps of photosynthesis take place within a plant or other photosynthetic organism,
some of the sunlight energy that was captured by the pigment molecules becomes stored in the
glucose molecules that are produced. In addition, oxygen (O2O2) is produced as a byproduct and is
released into the environment.

A. Both Brenden nor Hannah are correct. Sunlight and oxygen are both required for
photosynthesis to occur.
 B. Brenden is correct. Without sunlight, photosynthesis would not occur.

C. Hannah is correct. Without oxygen, photosynthesis would not occur.

D. Neither Brenden nor Hannah are correct. Glucose is required for photosynthesis to occur.

11. B

12. Which of the following best describe the difference between totipotent and pluripotent cells?

Cellular Differentiation

In developmental biology, cellular differentiation is the process where a cell changes from one cell
type to another. Most commonly the cell changes to a more specialized type. Differentiation occurs
numerous times during the development of a multicellular organism as it changes from a simple
zygote to a complex system of tissues and cell types. Differentiation continues in adulthood as adult
stem cells divide and create fully differentiated daughter cells during tissue repair and during
normal cell turnover. Some differentiation occurs in response to antigen exposure. Differentiation
dramatically changes a cell's size, shape, membrane potential, metabolic activity, and
responsiveness to signals. These changes are largely due to highly controlled modifications in gene
expression and are the study of epigenetics. With a few exceptions, cellular differentiation almost
never involves a change in the DNA sequence itself. Thus, different cells can have very different
physical characteristics despite having the same genome.

There are multiple levels of cell potency, the cell's ability to differentiate into other cell types. A
greater potency indicates a larger number of cells that can be derived. A cell that can differentiate
into all cell types, including the placental tissue, is known as totipotent. In mammals, only the
zygote and subsequent blastomeres are totipotent, while in plants many differentiated cells can
become totipotent with simple laboratory techniques. A cell that can differentiate into all cell types
of the adult organism is known as pluripotent. Such cells are called meristematic cells in higher
plants and embryonic stem cells in animals, though some groups report the presence of adult
pluripotent cells. . . . A multipotent cell is one that can differentiate into multiple different, but
closely related cell types. Oligopotent cells are more restricted than multipotent, but can still
differentiate into a few closely related cell types. Finally, unipotent cells can differentiate into only
one cell type, but are capable of self-renewal.

A. Pluripotent cells can become any cell type of the placental tissue, while totipotent cells can
become any cell type of the adult organism.

B. Totipotent cells can become any type of cell of the adult organism, while pluripotent cells
can become any cell type of the organism, placental or adult.

C. Pluripotent cells can become any type of cell of the adult organism, while totipotent cells
can become any cell type of the organism, placental or adult.

D. Totipotent cells can become multiple different, but closely related cell types, while
pluripotent cells can become any cell type of the adult organism.

12. C
13. Hector, Ophelia, and Yvonne are trying to make sense of the information displayed in the graph.
Hector says that renewable energy is primarily used in the electric power sector. Ophelia says that
petroleum is primarily used in the transportation sector. Yvonne says that coal is primarily used in
the industrial sector.

Who is correct?

US Primary Energy Consumption by Source and Sector, 2016

This graphic shows US primary energy consumption in 2016.

Energy sources are listed on the left side of the graph and the sectors that use these energy sources
are listed on the right side of the graph.

The lines and arrows connecting the two sides of the graphic break down how each source was
used by each sector.

A. Hector, Ophelia, and Yvonne are all correct.

B. Hector and Ophelia are correct, but Yvonne is not correct.

C. Hector and Yvonne are correct, but Ophelia is not correct.

D. Ophelia and Yvonne are correct, but Hector is not correct.

13.B
14. It is hotter than normal this summer in the town of Lakeside View. With a large lake to the west
and mountains to the east, Arlene and Victor wonder how warmer temperatures will affect
Lakeside View’s local climate.

Victor says that the warmer temperatures will increase the evaporation phase of the water cycle
and cause the lake levels to be lower than in previous summers. Arlene says that the warmer
temperatures will increase the precipitation phase of the water cycle and there will be more rain
than in previous summers.

Who is correct? Why?

The Water Cycle

The water cycle has no starting point, but for this description, the ocean will be the beginning, since
that is where most of Earth's water exists. The sun, which drives the water cycle, heats water in the
oceans. Most of the water evaporates as vapor into the air, where rising air currents take the vapor
up into the atmosphere. In the atmosphere, cooler temperatures cause the water vapor to
condense into clouds.

Air currents move clouds around the globe, and cloud particles collide, grow, and fall out of the sky
as precipitation. Some precipitation falls as snow and can accumulate as ice caps and glaciers,
which can store frozen water for thousands of years. Snowpacks in warmer climates often thaw and
melt when spring arrives, and the melted water flows overland as snowmelt. Most precipitation
falls back into the oceans or onto land, where, due to gravity, the precipitation flows over the
ground as surface runoff. A portion of runoff enters rivers in valleys in the landscape, with
streamflow moving water towards the oceans.

Not all runoff flows into rivers, though. Much of it soaks into the ground as infiltration. Some of the
water infiltrates into the ground and replenishes aquifers (saturated subsurface rock), which store
huge amounts of freshwater for long periods of time. Some infiltration stays close to the land
surface and can seep back into surface-water bodies (and the ocean) as groundwater discharge,
and some groundwater finds openings in the land surface and emerges as freshwater springs. Yet
more groundwater is absorbed by plant roots to end up as evapotranspiration from the leaves.
Over time, though, all of this water keeps moving, some to reenter the ocean, where the water
cycle begins all over again.

A. Arlene is correct. Warmer temperatures will cause more precipitation in and around
Lakeside View.

B. Both Arlene and Victor are correct. Warmer temperatures, due to increased sunlight, will
cause all aspects of the water cycle to increase.
 C. Neither Arlene nor Victor are correct. Warmer temperatures will not affect any aspect of the
water cycle, so neither evaporation nor precipitation will increase.

D. Victor is correct. Warmer temperatures will cause more evaporation of Lakeside View’s local
lake.
14. B

15. After learning about the water cycle, Gertrude and Paola conduct some research. Gertrude
measures the amount of precipitation that falls within a one-month period. Paola measures the
water levels of the lake over the same one-month period. Gertrude finds that it has rained 13
inches in the last month, whereas Paola finds that the lake has only risen 2 inches in the last month.

Which of the following can be inferred from Gertrude and Paola’s data?

The water cycle has no starting point, but for this description, the ocean will be the beginning, since
that is where most of Earth's water exists. The sun, which drives the water cycle, heats water in the
oceans. Most of the water evaporates as vapor into the air, where rising air currents take the vapor
up into the atmosphere. In the atmosphere, cooler temperatures cause the water vapor to
condense into clouds.

Air currents move clouds around the globe, and cloud particles collide, grow, and fall out of the sky
as precipitation. Some precipitation falls as snow and can accumulate as ice caps and glaciers,
which can store frozen water for thousands of years. Snowpacks in warmer climates often thaw and
melt when spring arrives, and the melted water flows overland as snowmelt. Most precipitation
falls back into the oceans or onto land, where, due to gravity, the precipitation flows over the
ground as surface runoff. A portion of runoff enters rivers in valleys in the landscape, with
streamflow moving water towards the oceans.

Not all runoff flows into rivers, though. Much of it soaks into the ground as infiltration. Some of the
water infiltrates into the ground and replenishes aquifers (saturated subsurface rock), which store
huge amounts of freshwater for long periods of time. Some infiltration stays close to the land
surface and can seep back into surface-water bodies (and the ocean) as groundwater discharge,
and some groundwater finds openings in the land surface and emerges as freshwater springs. Yet
more groundwater is absorbed by plant roots to end up as evapotranspiration from the leaves.
Over time, though, all of this water keeps moving, some to reenter the ocean, where the water
cycle begins all over again.

A. Gertrude must have incorrectly measured the amount of rainfall over the last month.

B. Gertrude and Paola could both be correct. Water in the lake will continue to evaporate, so it
is unlikely that rainfall is equal to the lake’s water level increase.

C. Gertrude and Paola must have both incorrectly measured rainfall and water level. They
need to repeat this data collection next month and make sure they are measuring correctly.

D. Paola must have incorrectly measured the lake’s water level over the last month.

15.B
16. Which of the following best describe how is artificial selection is different from natural
selection?

Artificial Selection

Artificial selection is the intentional breeding of plants or animals. It means the same thing
as selective breeding and is an ancient method of genetic engineering. Artificial selection is
a technique used when breeding domesticated animals, such as dogs, pigeons or cattle. Some of
these animals may have traits that a breeder will want to carry over to the next generation. The
breeder will, therefore, select those animals to breed which have that quality, rather than those
that do not.

Inbreeding is a particular kind of selective breeding, designed to produce a population which is

genetically virtually identical. Such populations are rarely viable outside the laboratory because
they lose fertility. To control this, most breeds are outcrossed or backcrossed to wild-
type individuals, or at least less inbred stock. This is done every so many generations; the details
differ from breed to breed.

Charles Darwin used the example of artificial selection to introduce his idea of natural selection.
Artificial selection may be contrasted with the process of natural selection. In natural selection, the
differential reproduction of organisms with certain traits happens. This is because some variations
help the organism to have better survival and reproduction. The process maintains or enhances
the fitness of a population in its natural habitat.

Source: https://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Artificial_selection

A. Natural selection occurs naturally in nature, while artificial selection requires human
intervention.
B. Artificial selection occurs naturally in nature, while natural selection requires human
intervention.
C. Natural selection occurs naturally in nature, while artificial selection only occurs in a
laboratory.
D. There is no difference between artificial and natural selection.

16. A

17. Consider the following situation:

Marquis is in charge of the Halloween dance at his school. He buys dry ice (a form of carbon
dioxide) from a local hardware store because he knows that it will sublime at room temperature
and turn into fog to make the dance feel more spooky.

Choose the phrase that best completes the following sentence:

Based on the passage, the word sublime means that the dry ice will change _____ at room
temperature.

A. from solid to liquid

B. from solid to gas
 C. from gas to solid

D. from liquid to solid

17. B

18. When a frameshift insertion mutation or non-frameshift insertion mutation occurs, what is the
result?

Insertion Mutation

“In genetics, an insertion (also called an insertion mutation) is the addition of one or more
nucleotide base pairs into a DNA sequence. Insertions can be anywhere in size from one base pair
incorrectly inserted into a DNA sequence to a whole section of a chromosome inserted into
another.”

Within DNA, there are four nucleotide bases: guanine, cytosine, adenine, and thymine. Each group
of three bases is called a codon. Codons specify which amino acids should be added when a cell is
building a protein.

For example, the DNA sequence 𝐺𝐺𝐺𝑇𝐺𝐴𝑇𝐶𝑇 will produce three distinct codons - 𝐺𝐺𝐺, 𝑇𝐺𝐴, and
𝑇𝐶𝑇. When an insertion occurs, the codons are changed, which changes the proteins the cell will
produce. An insertion of an A at the beginning of the sequence would change the sequence to
𝐴𝐺𝐺𝐺𝑇𝐺𝐴𝑇𝐶𝑇, which would change the codons to 𝐴𝐺𝐺, 𝐺𝑇𝐺, 𝐴𝑇𝐶,"and" 𝑇. This is called a
frameshift insertion mutation, since the insertion caused all the codons following the mutation to
change.

Another type of insertion mutation is called a non-frameshift insertion mutation. This occurs when
three bases are inserted, causing a whole new codon to be created. The rest of the codons are
unchanged. For example, if the initial DNA sequence is 𝐺𝐺𝐺𝑇𝐺𝐴𝑇𝐶𝑇, then a non-frameshift
insertion mutation would be 𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐺𝐺𝐺𝑇𝐺𝐴𝑇𝐶𝑇. The resulting codons would be 𝐴𝐴𝐴, 𝐺𝐺𝐺, 𝑇𝐺𝐴,
and 𝑇𝐶𝑇.

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Insertion_(genetics)

A. Incorrect or additional amino acids will be inserted when a protein is transcribed and
translated from that DNA.

B. Incorrect or additional monosaccharides will be inserted when a carbohydrate is transcribed

and translated from that DNA.

C. Incorrect or additional amino acids will be inserted when a carbohydrate is transcribed and
translated from that DNA.

D. Incorrect or additional fatty acids will be inserted when a protein is transcribed and
translated from that DNA.
18. A
19. The passage states that during the formation of the atmosphere, “the atmosphere was reducing
because there was no free oxygen.”

How did Earth gain free oxygen?

The Atmosphere

The atmosphere, the gaseous layer that surrounds the earth, formed over four billion years ago.
During the evolution of the solid earth, volcanic eruptions released gases into the developing
atmosphere. Assuming the outgassing was similar to that of modern volcanoes, the gases released
included: water vapor (H2O)(H2O), carbon monoxide (CO)(CO), carbon dioxide (CO2)(CO2),
hydrochloric acid (HCl)(HCl), methane (CH4)(CH4), ammonia (NH3)(NH3), nitrogen (N2)(N2) and
sulfur gases. The atmosphere was reducing because there was no free oxygen. Most of the
hydrogen and helium that outgassed would have eventually escaped into outer space due to the
inability of the earth's gravity to hold on to their small masses. There may have also been significant
contributions of volatiles from the massive meteoritic bombardments known to have occurred early
in the earth's history.

Water vapor in the atmosphere condensed and rained down, eventually forming lakes and oceans.
The oceans provided homes for the earliest organisms which were probably similar to
cyanobacteria. Oxygen was released into the atmosphere by these early organisms, and carbon
became sequestered in sedimentary rocks. This led to our current oxidizing atmosphere, which is
mostly comprised of nitrogen (roughly 7171 percent) and oxygen (roughly 2828 percent). Water
vapor, argon and carbon dioxide together comprise a much smaller fraction (roughly 11 percent).
The atmosphere also contains several gases in trace amounts, such as helium, neon, methane and
nitrous oxide. One very important trace gas is ozone, which absorbs harmful UV radiation from the
sun.

Source: https://opentextbc.ca/geology/wp-content/uploads/sites/110/2016/07/co2-vibrations-2-
163x300.png

A. Eventually, the Earth’s atmosphere became oxidizing after all the existing compounds
reacted with each other.

B. The composition of volcanic outgassing changed to include much larger amounts of oxygen.

C. Early organisms, probably similar to cyanobacteria, released oxygen into the atmosphere.

D. Meteoric bombardment enclosed the Earth in clouds of dust that trapped oxygen near the
Earth.

19.C

20. At the end of the experiment, the marble has come to a complete rest at point C. Which of the
following statements is true?

Marble on a String Experiment

A marble is tied to a string and taped to the
underside of a table so it can swing freely.
The marble is pulled back to Point
A, 3636 cm above the ground, and then
released. On the first swing, the marble
passes points B and C. It continues to point
D, at which point the marble pauses before
starting to swing back towards its starting
point. At point D, the marble is
located 3232 cm above the ground.

Assume that the following table lists all

relevant energy types present in the
experiment.

Type of
Definition
Energy
the energy an object has
potential
based on its position or
energy
elevation
the energy an object or
kinetic
body possesses due to its
energy
motion
mechanical the sum of kinetic energy
energy and potential energy

A. The marble has only potential energy.

B. The marble has only kinetic energy.

C. The marble has both potential and kinetic energy.

D. The marble has no energy.

20. A

21. Which of the following conclusions about coral reefs is supported by the passage?

How Can Coral Reefs Be Protected?

NOAA’s coral reef conservation efforts are carried out primarily through its Coral Reef Conservation
Program (CRCP). Under this program, NOAA works with scientific, private, government, and
nongovernmental organizations to achieve the goals of the United States’ Coral Reef Task Force
(CRTF).

Using high-resolution satellite imagery and Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) technology, NOAA has
made detailed digital maps of reefs in Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, the eight main Hawaiian
Islands and the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. Satellite technology is also used to detect harmful
algal blooms that can smother reefs and to monitor elevated sea surface temperatures, which can
cause coral bleaching.
NOAA also monitors reefs using the Coral Reef Early Warning System (CREWS). This system consists
of buoys deployed at reef sites that measure air temperature, wind speed and direction, barometric
pressure, sea temperature, salinity, and tide levels. Every hour, these data are transmitted to
scientists to help them understand conditions that may cause bleaching of coral reefs. In addition to
the monitoring work conducted by satellites and buoys, NOAA conducts research, assessment, and
restoration projects of coral reefs in marine reserves and among deep-sea coral banks. NOAA is also
working to remove tons of marine debris from the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands and restore
damaged reefs.

Monitoring, research, and restoration all are essential to safeguard coral reefs. However, to
ultimately protect coral reefs, legal mechanisms may be necessary. One legal mechanism involves
the establishment of marine protected areas (MPAs). Because MPAs have the added force of law
behind them, a protected marine enclosure—such as a coral reef system—may stand a better
chance of survival.

A. Coral reefs are hardy structures that can survive extreme marine conditions.
B. Coral reefs can only be saved through legal mechanisms such as marine protected areas
(MPAs).
C. Coral reefs are susceptible to fluctuations in a variety of marine conditions.
D. Coral reefs must undergo periodic bleaching in order to reproduce and expand.

21. C

22. Based on the passage, which of the following best defines a food chain?

Food Chains and Food Webs

Food chains show the relationships between producers, consumers, and decomposers, showing
who eats whom with arrows. The arrows show the movement of energy through the food chain.
For example, in the food chain shown here, the small fish (silverside) gets its energy by eating the
plankton and the large fish (bluefish) gets its energy by eating the small fish. Finally, bacteria eat
the fish after it dies, getting energy from the large fish. The bacteria also return nutrients back to
the environment for use by the phytoplankton.

Thus, the food chain becomes a complete circle. Animals may eat more than one type of food. They
may eat many different types of plants or many different animals. This makes everything more
complicated and the food chain becomes a food web.

A food web is made up of interconnected food chains. Most communities include various
populations of producer organisms which are eaten by any number of consumer populations. The
green crab, for example, is a consumer as well as a decomposer. The crab will eat dead things or
living things if it can catch them. A secondary consumer may also eat any number of primary
consumers or producers.

In a food web, nutrients are recycled in the end by decomposers. Animals like shrimp and crabs can
break the materials down to detritus. Then bacteria reduce the detritus to nutrients. Decomposers
work at every level, setting free nutrients that form an essential part of the total food web.
In a food chain, energy is lost in each step of the chain in two forms: first by the organism producing
heat and doing work, and second, by the food that is not completely digested or absorbed.
Therefore, the food web depends on a constant supply of energy from producers and nutrients that
are recycled by the decomposition of organisms.

As food is passed along the food chain, only about 10% of the energy is transferred to the next
level. For example, 10% of the energy phytoplankton received from the sun can be used by
zooplankton at the next level. From one level to the next about 90% of the energy used by the
previous level is lost. This means that there has to be a lot more organisms at the lower levels than
at the upper levels. The number of organisms at each level can be represented with a pyramid
shape and is called a food pyramid.

Source: https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/documents/foodchainsandfoodwebs.pdf

Marine Food Chain

Source: https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/documents/foodchainsandfoodwebs.pdf

A. a sequence of organisms in which each is dependent on another as a source of energy and

nutrients

B. a type of organism that serves as a source of food for another type of organism

C. an organism that serves as a source of food for multiple organisms

D. a sequence of organisms in which all organisms serve as a food source for all other organisms
in the chain

22. A

23. As used in the passage, which of the following best describes the meaning of the word isobar?

Pressure Systems

You have probably seen weather maps marked with H's and L's which indicate high and low-
pressure centers. Usually surrounding these "highs" and "lows" are lines called isobars. Iso- means
"equal" and a -bar is a unit of pressure, so an isobar means "equal pressure." So everywhere along
each line, the pressure has the same value.

With high-pressure systems, the value of air pressure along each isobar increases toward the center
with each concentric line. The opposite is true for low-pressure systems, in that each concentric line
toward the center represents lower pressure. Isobars may be close together or far apart.
The closer the isobars are drawn together, the quicker the air pressure changes. This change in air
pressure is called the "pressure gradient.” Pressure gradient is just the difference in pressure
between high and low-pressure areas.

The speed of the wind is directly proportional to the pressure gradient, meaning that as the change
in pressure increases (i.e. pressure gradient increases) the speed of the wind also increases at that
location.

Source: http://www.srh.noaa.gov/jetstream/synoptic/wind.html

A. a line on a map indicating equal pressure values

B. a line on a map indicating different pressure values

C. a line on a map indicating high-pressure values

D. a line on a map indicating low-pressure values

23. A

24. Which of the following explanations best describes what happens in a binary supernova?

What Is a Supernova?

A supernova is the explosion of a star. It is the largest explosion that takes place in space.
Supernovas are often seen in other galaxies. But supernovas are difficult to see in our own Milky
Way galaxy because dust blocks our view. In 1604, Johannes Kepler discovered the last observed
supernova in the Milky Way. NASA’s Chandra telescope discovered the remains of a more recent
supernova. It exploded in the Milky Way more than a hundred years ago.

A supernova happens where there is a change in the core, or center, of a star. A change can occur
in two different ways, with both resulting in a supernova. The first type of supernova happens in
binary star systems. Binary stars are two stars that orbit the same point. One of the stars, a carbon-
oxygen white dwarf, steals matter from its companion star. Eventually, the white dwarf
accumulates too much matter. Having too much matter causes the star to explode, resulting in a
supernova. The second type of supernova occurs at the end of a single star’s lifetime. As the star
runs out of nuclear fuel, some of its mass flows into its core. Eventually, the core is so heavy that it
cannot withstand its own gravitational force. The core collapses, which results in the giant
explosion of a supernova. The sun is a single star, but it does not have enough mass to become a
supernova.

A supernova burns for only a short period of time, but it can tell scientists a lot about the universe.
One kind of supernova has shown scientists that we live in an expanding universe, one that is
growing at an ever-increasing rate. Scientists also have determined that supernovas play a key role
in distributing elements throughout the universe. When the star explodes, it shoots elements and
debris into space. Many of the elements we find here on Earth are made in the core of stars. These
elements travel on to form new stars, planets and everything else in the universe.
Passage Source: https://www.nasa.gov/audience/forstudents/5-8/features/nasa-knows/what-is-a-
supernova.html

A. When two stars orbit the same point, one of the stars steals matter from its companion star.
That star accumulates too much matter, causing the star to explode in a supernova.
B. When a star runs out of fuel, some of its mass flows into its core. It becomes so heavy that
the core collapses, which results in the giant explosion of a supernova.
C. When two stars orbit the same point, they become attracted to each other, combining
energy, causing the stars to explode in a supernova.
D. When one star moves into another star’s orbit, the larger star steals matter from the smaller
star. The smaller star collapses and the larger star becomes a supernova.

24. A

25. Jessica, Greg, and Salvadore are lab partners for a limiting reactants chemistry lab.
They each react 44 molecules of hydrogen (H2)(H2) with 33 molecules of oxygen (O2)(O2) using the
balanced chemical equation:
2H2+O2→2H2O2H2+O2→2H2O
Jessica finds that hydrogen (H2)(H2) is the limiting reactant. Greg finds that oxygen (O2)(O2) is the
limiting reactant. Salvadore finds that both reactants are used up equally, thus there is not a
limiting reactant.
Who is correct? Why?

Limiting Reactants

In the majority of chemical reactions, the reaction will continue until one reactant runs out. Once
one reactant is used up, the reaction will stop. This limiting reactant controls how much product
can be produced because it limits how long the reaction can continue.
In a balanced chemical equation, the coefficients represent the relative number of molecules of
reactants and products that are respectively used and produced during the course of the reaction.
The ratios can be used to determine which reactant will be used up first.

A. Greg is correct. There are only three oxygen molecules, so they will be used at a faster rate
than hydrogen in this reaction.

B. Jessica and Greg are both correct. It depends on if they added hydrogen to the oxygen or
the oxygen to the hydrogen.

C. Jessica is correct. Hydrogen molecules are used at a faster rate than oxygen molecules in
this reaction.

D. Salvadore is correct. Four molecules of hydrogen will completely react with three molecules
of oxygen and there will be no hydrogen or oxygen left over.

25. C

26. In which part of the Earth do earthquakes occur?

Earthquakes

The earth has four major layers: the inner core, outer core, mantle, and crust. The crust and the top
of the mantle make up a thin skin on the surface of our planet. But this skin is not all in one piece –
it is made up of many pieces like a puzzle covering the surface of the earth. Not only that, but these
puzzle pieces keep slowly moving around, sliding past one another and bumping into each other.
We call these puzzle pieces tectonic plates, and the edges of the plates are called the plate
boundaries. The plate boundaries are made up of many faults, and most of the earthquakes around
the world occur on these faults. Since the edges of the plates are rough, they get stuck while the
rest of the plate keeps moving. Finally, when the plate has moved far enough, the edges unstick on
one of the faults and there is an earthquake.

While the edges of faults are stuck together, and the rest of the block is moving, the energy that
would normally cause the blocks to slide past one another is being stored up. When the force of the
moving blocks finally overcomes the friction of the jagged edges of the fault and it unsticks, all that
stored up energy is released. The energy radiates outward from the fault in all directions in the
form of seismic waves like ripples on a pond. The seismic waves shake the earth as they move
through it, and when the waves reach the earth’s surface, they shake the ground and anything on
it, like our houses and us!

Source: https://earthquake.usgs.gov/learn/kids/eqscience.php
 A. crust

B. inner core

C. mantle

D. outer core

26. A

27. Which of the following is NOT a reason why cells divide mitotically?

Function of Mitosis

Mitosis is the process of cell division. There are three reasons why cells divide mitotically:

Mitosis is the process of cell division. There are three reasons why cells divide mitotically:

1. Cell Replacement
2. Growth
3. Asexual Reproduction

Cell Replacement

Cells divide in order to produce new cells that replace damaged, dying, or lost cells. Your skin, for
example, consists of millions of cells that protect your body against damage and pathogens. The
cells on the surface slough off after a while, for example, when you scratch yourself or because of
other forms of abrasion. The cells lost need to be replaced by new cells. These cells are produced in
deep layers of your skin through mitotic cell division.

Growth

Growth

We all started out as a single cell. When your mother's egg cells and your father's sperm cell fused,
this single cell was created. Then, the cell divided mitotically often enough to produce the millions
of cells in your body. The picture to the right shows an image of a human embryonic cell that has
already divided a few times. Each of these cells differentiates to fulfill a special function in your
body. Some cells, for example, will become part of your heart, while others will develop into bone
cells. All the cells of your body work together in tissues and organs in very complex ways so that
you can speak, learn, eat, play, and perform all the other activities that are part of your daily life.

Asexual Reproduction

Sometimes, mitosis even functions to produce a whole new organism. To the left, you see a
microscopic picture of an organism that consists of a single cell. This organism, called a ciliate,
reproduces by mitotic cell division: it simply divides in half. Thus, the new cell has a single parent
cell and is genetically identical with its parent. Asexual reproduction occurs in single-celled
organisms, but also in plants and more complex animals. If you clip part of a plant off, for example,
it can develop into a whole new plant. Sea stars can also reproduce asexually. If a sea star loses an
arm, for example, this arm can regenerate into a whole new sea star.

A. asexual reproduction
B. cell replacement
C. growth
D. sperm cell production

27. D

28. Given these two formulas for power, which of the following correctly shows the relationship
between dd, tt, and vv?
The Relationship between Power, Force, Distance, and Time

In physics, power is defined as the rate at which work is done over a period of time and is
calculated using the following formula:

P=F.dtP=F.dt
in which PP is power (measured in watts, WW), FF is force (measured in newtons, NN), dd is
distance (measured in meters, mm), and tt is time (measured in seconds, ss).
The Relationship between Power, Force, and Velocity

In physics, power is defined as the rate at which work is done and is calculated using the following
formula:

P=F⋅vP=F⋅v
in which PP is power (measured in watts, WW), FF is force (measured in newtons, NN), and vv is
velocity (measured in meters per second, msms).

A. d=v/t
B. v=t/d
C. t=d/v
D. v=d/t

28.D

29. A scientist claims that she found evidence of mitosis and meiosis in human cells she has been
observing. Is she correct? Why or why not?

Mitosis vs. Meiosis

Mitosis and meiosis are both forms of division of the nucleus in eukaryotic cells. They share some
similarities, but also exhibit distinct differences that lead to very different outcomes.

Mitosis is a single nuclear division of a non-germ cell that results in two nuclei partitioned into two
new cells. The nuclei resulting from a mitotic division are genetically identical to the original
nucleus, with the same number of sets of chromosomes. In most plants and all animal species, it is
typically diploid cells that undergo mitosis to form new diploid cells. Diploid cells contain two sets
of chromosomes, or two of each type of chromosome.

In contrast, meiosis consists of two nuclear divisions of germ cells resulting in four nuclei that are
partitioned into four new haploid cells. The nuclei resulting from meiosis are not genetically
identical and they contain only one chromosome set instead of two. This is half the number of
chromosome sets in the original diploid parent cell.

Source: http://cnx.org/contents/185cbf87-c72e-48f5-b51e-f14f21b5eabd@10.117

A. She is correct. All human cells go through the process of mitosis and meiosis throughout
their life cycle.

B. She might be correct. It depends on which types of cells she is observing.

C. She is not correct. Human cells only go through the process of meiosis, not mitosis.

D. She is not correct. Human cells only go through the process of mitosis, not meiosis.

29. B

30. Based on the passage, which of the following best describes a catabolic reaction?

Cellular Respiration
Glucose and other molecules from food are broken down to release energy in a complex series of
chemical reactions that together are called cellular respiration.

Cellular respiration is a set of metabolic reactions and processes that take place in the cells of
organisms to convert biochemical energy from nutrients into ATP, and then release waste products.
The reactions involved in respiration are catabolic reactions, which break large molecules into
smaller ones, releasing energy in the process. These processes require a large number of enzymes
which each perform one specific chemical reaction.

Aerobic Respiration

Aerobic respiration requires oxygen. This is the reason why we breathe oxygen in from the air. This
type of respiration releases a large amount of energy from glucose that can be stored as ATP.
Aerobic respiration happens all the time in animals and plants, where most of the reactions occur in
the mitochondria. Even some prokaryotes can perform aerobic respiration (although since
prokaryotes don’t contain mitochondria, the reactions are slightly different). The overall chemical
formula for aerobic respiration can be written as: 

C6H12O2+6 O2→6 CO2+6 H2O+(approximately) 38 ATP

Translating that formula into English: One molecule of glucose can be broken down in the presence
of oxygen gas to produce waste products of carbon dioxide (which we breathe out) and water. This
process has an overall release of energy which is captured and stored in 3838 molecules of ATPATP.

Aerobic respiration is a complex process that can be divided into three basic stages: glycolysis, the
citric acid cycle, and oxidative phosphorylation.

Anaerobic Respiration

Anaerobic respiration occurs in the absence of oxygen. It releases a much smaller amount of energy
than aerobic respiration. Anaerobic respiration does not release enough energy to power human
cells for long – think about how long a person can live if they are not able to breathe. Anaerobic
respiration occurs in muscle cells during hard exercise (after the oxygen has been used up). It also
occurs in yeast when brewing beer. Many prokaryotes perform anaerobic respiration.

There are several different types of anaerobic respiration. All the types of anaerobic respiration
involve glycolysis, and none of them go through the citric acid cycle or oxidative phosphorylation.
Instead, various other methods are used to regenerate the molecules needed for glycolysis. For
now, we will summarize them all using this chemical formula: C6H12O2 NAD+→various waste
products+NADH+2 ATPC6H12O2 NAD+→various waste products+NADH+2 ATP

NAD+NAD+ and NADHNADH are two states of a molecule that will carry energy during this process.
For right now, just know that NADHNADH carries energy (similar to ATPATP) and NAD+NAD+ is the
form that carries less energy (similar to ADPADP).

Source: https://openoregon.pressbooks.pub/mhccmajorsbio/chapter/7-4-an-overview-of-cellular-
respiration/

A. a reaction in which large molecules are broken into smaller ones

B. a reaction in which small molecules are synthesized into larger ones

 C. a reaction in which a molecule undergoes no change

D. a reaction which consumes more energy than it releases

30. A